The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-01-18
Not So Bad a Dog.

Several years ago an Express agent.
living in Pillssbury, was awakened by
his wife, who for some hours had been
unable to sleep because of the piteou'
cries and means of Molly, black and
tan terrier puppy, which had been
dropped" into the Shelleys' yard after
dark by neighbor lad. who, to saw
her from being drowned as his father
had ordered, hoped to find for her in
this way home.
"Do get up, James. It's past mid
night, and I've not been able to sleep a
wink. Perhaps it's baby out in the
sleet and snow" urged Mrs. Shelley. as
the means grew fainter.
Mr.. Shelly did get up, lighted a Ian
tern, and going out the back door, eau
tiously looked about, holding the light
close to the sleet and snow-covercd
ground, and finding under his bedroom
window Molly, almost frozen. He car
ried into the house the ''puir beaste, "
warmed and fed her, then wrapped her
in flannel. In two days she had entire
" recovered, minus the tip Of her tail
which the cold had nipped until ampu-
tation was necessary, and endeavored
in puppyish way to express her graft
tude toward her new MASTER
Annoyed by Molly's habit of carryin,
offsmall articles, Mrs. Shelley wished to
send her away.
"rd like to keep her, wife," pleaded
Mr.. Shelley. "Shc is a bright little
dog and perhaps she will outgrow her
mischief soon."
When Molly had grown older ana
more sedatc she became MIR. Shelley's
shadow, following HIM everywhere and
guarding his property with Jealous care.
Late one Saturday evening she went
with her master TO the grocer's, which
was crowded with men who had just
drawn their weeks wages. Some OF
them had been drinking heavily, and
one, noted for his brutality when under
the influence of liquor, slyly appropr-
ated clcaver that lay upon the meat
block, then going close TO Mr. Shelley
raised his arm to strike tho unsuspect-
ing man in the back. unseen by any eve
except the watchful ones of Molly. In
IN instant her sharp little teeth were
set in his ankle, causing him to roar
with pan, and the bystandcrs to see
the intent of the brutal fellow, whom
they soon had in safe keeping. Molly
Immediately became heroine, but no
amount of coaxing could vile her, even
for few moments, from her masters
side.
Mr.. Shelley was often obliged to keep
in his house large sums of money be-
longing to the express company. as
there was no bank in the village. His
wife constantly feared a Wis from burg
lars, and to satisfy her Mr. Shelley kept
close in the house after dark. Molly's
bed of straw lay in the side yard. d.
rectly under the window in her master 5
bedroom. She would lie in no Slher
spot.
After the peach harvest many valus
bic money packages were received. and
often were uncalled for by their own
ers for days after their arrival. The
last week in August the Shelley's were
guardians of several thousand dollars.
and Mrs, Shelley's nervousness increas-
ed until restful sleep was impossible.
Molly was unusually watchful, which
added to her annoyance.
James," said the heavy-eyed wife.
after slcepless ght, Il can no long
or endure Molly's inccssant barking
and swapping. Could it be that prowl-
ers were around last night?"
II think it is likely that Molly wa
barking AT the moon. or prowling cat. "
replied Mr.. Shelley. lightly.
The next night Molly provoked even
good tempered Mr.. Shelley, who. I'M
able to sleep. went repeatedly to the
window. bidding her keep STILL"
On the morning after. Mr.. Shelly had nU
kind greeting for Molly. For shame.
Molly. You're a naughty dog" said
Mrs Shelley. showing her displeasurc
BY soundly cutting MoIly's ears. With
dronnino hoad and tail Molly left the